"Your Majesty, this humble subject does not yet wish to marry. Please retract your decree."

The atmosphere in the Golden Luan Hall had initially been quite amicable. Many civil and military officials were casting envious yet respectful glances at Chen Yuan, envying his position and the honor of being personally bestowed a marriage by the Emperor.

It was truly a great honor.

Moreover, the intended bride was none other than the famous Princess Pingyang, renowned throughout the capital for her virtue, talent, and accomplishments. Her abilities in both civil and military matters were unmatched, no less than any man. Her virtuous reputation had spread far and wide. Coupled with her outstanding beauty, countless individuals yearned to marry the Princess and ascend to the pinnacle of life.

Among them were no shortage of the officials within the Golden Luan Hall.

Now, this spiritual flower nurtured in the capital was about to be plucked by Chen Yuan.

It was difficult to know what to say.

Envy was certainly present.

Who wouldn't be envious?

Becoming the Emperor's son-in-law would allow one to navigate the Great Jin court with unparalleled ease, relying on his own abilities to rise to prominence.

However, jealousy wasn't the dominant emotion.

While the Princess was exceptional, Chen Yuan was evidently even more so.

His supernatural powers were world-shaking, his fame echoed throughout the land, his talent surpassed all his contemporaries, and he was hailed as an extraordinary man who overshadowed an entire era. Furthermore, he had repeatedly performed great feats, unmatched by anyone in the world.

In the eyes of many, the rumors circulating in the capital were true: Princess Pingyang and Chen Yuan were indeed a match made in heaven, perfectly suited for each other.

Currently, only Marquis Wuan Chen Yuan was worthy of Princess Pingyang.

And only Princess Pingyang was worthy of Chen Yuan in the capital.

Just as he was about to reach the pinnacle of life,

Chen Yuan's answer astonished countless individuals.

He actually dared to refuse the Emperor?!

"What did you say?"

Jingtai's face, which had initially displayed a faint smile, instantly turned extremely gloomy, as if a storm was about to break, engulfing the world. The temperature within the entire Golden Luan Hall seemed to drop several degrees.

The junior officials at the rear of the hall involuntarily shivered.

The civil and military officials in front focused their gaze on Chen Yuan.

There was shock, bewilderment, and incomprehension, a complex mix of emotions.

They were shocked by Chen Yuan's audacity, bewildered that he would reject such a noble and extraordinary woman as Princess Pingyang, and perplexed by his reasons.

Did he not understand the benefits of marrying Princess Pingyang?

Did he not know the terror of angering the Emperor?

Why?

Why exactly?

Many were puzzled, and some even appeared to be frozen in place.

Zhang Yantong frowned slightly, casting a deep glance at Chen Yuan.

His words were truly resolute. Having declared his unwillingness to marry, he refused to comply even with the Emperor's personal decree. What audacity!

The First Prince, Sima Qian, and the Second Prince, Sima You, felt a subtle joy rising in their hearts after a moment of shock.

It was best if he didn't marry!

Not only would it anger the Emperor, but it would also greatly weaken the Fourth Prince's influence.

It was truly heaven's help!

They had indeed considered recruiting Chen Yuan, a figure famous throughout the world, but he had stubbornly chosen the Fourth Prince, Sima Ke, and remained unmoved by their persuasions.

Now, the outcome was naturally one of opposition.

Chen Yuan's offense to the Emperor meant that they would receive more benefits.

They were delighted to see it happen.

"Please retract your decree, Your Majesty!"

Chen Yuan gazed resolutely at the figure on the dragon throne, his eyes fearless, seemingly imbued with a powerful aura of righteous sacrifice.

Having said he would refuse, he would refuse.

No matter how well Jingtai planned, no matter how much his words carried imperial weight, he could not agree to bind himself with a chain. It was easy to put on, but difficult to remove.

A martial artist sought clarity of mind above all else, so that he could advance a thousand miles a day and achieve rapid progress.

What was the point of enduring grievances and seeking compromise?

Chen Yuan could not agree, did not want to agree, and would not agree.

As Chen Yuan spoke these words while looking directly at Jingtai, the atmosphere within the Golden Luan Hall visibly plummeted to freezing point, almost as if the void had solidified.

Everyone was frozen in place.

This state persisted for about three breaths before anyone reacted.

And the reaction was significant...

"Audacious!"

"Audacious, Chen Yuan! How dare you be disrespectful to His Majesty!"

"You dare! Chen Yuan, what audacity you possess, daring to utter such wild words to His Majesty in the Golden Luan Hall! Where are the imperial guards? Seize this man at once!"

The ministers were enraged, denouncing Chen Yuan.

Their eyes seemed to burn with raging flames, wanting to incinerate Chen Yuan within them.

Of course, there were those who denounced him, and there were also those who spoke on his behalf.

The other three Divine Envoys of the Sky Survey Division took the lead. Chen Yuan was a Heavenly Divine Envoy of the Sky Survey Division, a high-ranking member. Such a person, unless he was rebelling, had to be defended. This was the rule established since the Sky Survey Division was founded.

No matter how fierce the infighting was behind the scenes, at least on the surface, there could be no loss of face.

Zhang Yantong: "Your Majesty, please forgive him. Marquis Wuan's words were unintentional and he certainly did not mean to offend you. I hope that Your Majesty will consider Marquis Wuan's meritorious service and forgive him this once."

Zuo Tiancheng: "Your Majesty, please forgive him. Marquis Wuan was merely speaking in haste and is utterly loyal to Your Majesty."

Wu Tianxi: "Those treacherous and petty men are denouncing Marquis Wuan, their intentions are sinister. They want Your Majesty to severely punish Marquis Wuan and lose virtue in the eyes of the world."

Seeing the sudden transformation from a harmonious scene to one of chaos in just a short moment, the Fourth Prince, Sima Ke, instinctively felt a cold sweat break out and was stunned in place.

Chen Yuan actually... really refused!

And he refused the Emperor's bestowed marriage here in the Golden Luan Hall. This was truly... a disaster!

Who in the entire capital didn't know that Chen Yuan was close to him? Now that he had offended the Emperor, how could things possibly go well in the future?

Suppressing the fear in his heart, Sima Ke gritted his teeth and immediately bowed:

"Father, please calm your anger, Father, please calm your anger. Marquis Wuan only... only spoke without thinking and absolutely did not mean to show contempt for Father. Please, Father, investigate the truth!"

The atmosphere within the hall was like oil being poured onto a raging fire, brewing a terrifying pressure.

Any ordinary person would probably be unable to withstand this pressure and would kneel in the Golden Luan Hall, begging the Emperor for forgiveness, but Chen Yuan ignored the surrounding rebukes and pleas.

He fixed his gaze resolutely on Jingtai, showing no sign of remorse.

He was like an unyielding rock in the sea, unmoved by the storms and waves.

The atmosphere within the hall was tense. At this moment, it seemed as if everyone around them had become mere illusions, leaving only Jingtai on the dragon throne and Chen Yuan below.

Their gazes met, and sparks seemed to ignite.

Jingtai's hands rested on the armrests of the dragon throne, gripping them slightly. If the dragon throne wasn't made of extremely hard exotic treasures, he probably would have crushed it.

"Chen Yuan, do you perhaps think that my daughter is unworthy of you?"

After what seemed like a long time, Jingtai's face was ashen as he asked Chen Yuan, word by word.

He knew that Chen Yuan resisted this matter, perhaps knowing something that caused him to be unmoved by his hints and even have Zhang Yantong convey his meaning.

That was why he brought up this matter during the court meeting.

The Emperor, the supreme ruler, his words carrying ultimate authority, representing the unparalleled imperial power.

Yet Chen Yuan was now defying him, challenging imperial authority. If it were another official, he would have ordered him to be dragged out and beheaded outside the Meridian Gate long ago.

Imperial power could not be insulted!

The surrounding voices gradually subsided. Chen Yuan cupped his fists and said:

"This humble subject dares not. Princess Pingyang is a celestial beauty, rare in the world, virtuous and talented. Countless people seek her hand in marriage but are unable to obtain it. It is the men of the world who are unworthy of her."

"Then why do you dare to defy my will? If you do not have a reasonable answer, today... even if I value you greatly, I will severely punish you."

Jingtai's voice was calm.

But the civil and military officials in the Golden Luan Hall knew the meaning and anger hidden within these words.

If he couldn't answer well, Chen Yuan, the rising star of the Great Jin Empire, would fall from grace before the eyes of countless people today.

Thinking of the words he had prepared, Chen Yuan said in a clear voice:

"The world is not yet settled. The Northern Barbarians are invading our borders, harassing our people. The Southern Demons are ready to make trouble, wanting to devour the Central Plains. The thirty-six Western Nations covet the fertile lands of the Central Plains, harassing Lanzhou.

Overseas in the East Sea, countless barbarians are sharpening their knives. Blood Province has not been recovered, and the demons and heretics frequently rebel, extracting souls and refining them, treating the people like pigs and dogs."

"External troubles have not been quelled, internal worries are not settled. This humble subject feels extremely saddened and indignant whenever I think of this. How has my Great Jin, a heavenly nation, fallen to this state?

This humble subject is weak and powerless, but I have a burning passion to serve the country. I once made a martial oath in my heart, and today I will tell it to Your Majesty and the officials in the hall."

"Speak."

Jingtai stared at Chen Yuan.

"With the world unsettled, how can I have a home!"

Chen Yuan uttered these words one by one, and then turned to face the officials behind him. He looked around, and said in a deep voice:

"This oath is declared to heaven and earth, heard by the underworld, and spread throughout the world!"

Silence! Silence! Silence!

The Golden Luan Hall fell into silence again. The civil and military officials who had previously denounced Chen Yuan were stunned in place. When they looked at the black-clothed figure again,

They seemed to see him lifting one hand to support the sky, suppressing everyone, incomparably magnificent.

With the world unsettled, how can I have a home.

What kind of spirit is this? What kind of momentum is this? What kind of ambition is this?

Some felt ashamed and lowered their heads, no longer daring to look directly at Chen Yuan. They felt that they had judged a gentleman with a petty heart and should not have misunderstood a loyal minister who had the world in his heart.

Some shook their heads and sighed.

Chen Yuan's wish is also the court's wish.

Some closed their eyes and exhaled, their bodies trembling, their blood boiling. They only felt that the heart that had been worn away by the intrigue and infighting in the officialdom had bloomed again.

Some remained silent, their eyes heavy.

Chen Yuan's words touched their hearts.

They did not suspect that Chen Yuan was just saying empty words. Whether it was turning the tide in the capital, protecting the court's face, or sacrificing his life in Liangzhou, going to his death generously, and killing the Barbarian God's incarnation, all of this proved that Chen Yuan was a man of his word, with great ambitions, great momentum, and great fearlessness.

Only such a person could be praised by the people of the North and be respectfully called 'Lord' by the martial world.

However, it was not as if no one had thought of the suspicious points.

Having the world in his heart...

Is this something a subject should do?

However, this thought only flashed through the minds of some people and no one took it to heart.

Seeing the scene where the civil and military officials in the Golden Luan Hall were silent after Chen Yuan's impassioned speech, Jingtai's face was a little ugly. He realized that something was wrong.

Chen Yuan was creating momentum!

He was shaping himself into a loyal and trustworthy minister of the court.

If such a person was obviously suppressed by the Emperor, what would his reputation be?

Compared with such an ambition, defying the Emperor seemed to be excusable.

Clenching his hands tightly, Jingtai took a deep breath. He looked at Chen Yuan, and a hint of disgust flashed in his eyes. If other monarchs saw that their subjects were so ambitious and loyal, they would naturally be overjoyed.

But he was different. Looking at his magnificent figure, Jingtai only felt disgusted.

A subject should have the awareness of a subject.

No matter how noble and upright you are, no matter how loyal you are, you cannot compete with the imperial power by riding the tide!

Seeing that the civil and military officials in the Golden Luan Hall had been suppressed by his majestic aura, Chen Yuan's eyes were calm, because this was all within his expectations.

The only thing that was difficult to predict now was Jingtai's reaction.

Would he stop here, or would he continue to coerce?

Stopping would be praised by the world, and coercion would be criticized by countless people.

They would curse Jingtai as a fatuous and incompetent ruler who was unable to recognize talent and harmed loyal subjects.

In this way, even if they tore their faces today, Chen Yuan could inflict a heavy blow on the Sima family in terms of reputation. If he raised an army in the future, he would be understood by many people.

He, Chen Yuan, was forced to rebel by the court step by step...

It was a helpless move, a painful matter.

Turning around, Chen Yuan faced the figure on the dragon throne again, bowing and saying in a deep voice:

"Is Your Majesty satisfied with this answer?"

In a few words, Chen Yuan suppressed the ministers and transferred the pressure to Jingtai, making him angry, but he still had to show an admiring expression on his face.

"Marquis Wuan has indeed lived up to my expectations. If all the officials in the court had such ambitions, why worry that the world would not be settled? Why worry that the world would not be peaceful? I am very pleased.

It's just that the world is too big, and it will take more than a day to eliminate these worries. You are my trusted minister, how can I bear to see you alone?"

Jingtai's words were shameless, causing many officials present to frown.

Marquis Wuan had already said this, why was he still so insistent? Even if he was gentle, he was still suspected of oppressing his subjects.

But Jingtai had no choice. He was already a little wary of Chen Yuan, who was now showing his rebellious side. The more he was like this, the more he had to keep this person firmly under his control.

Otherwise, it would be even more difficult in the future!

It didn't matter if he gained some notoriety, he didn't care about that. But if he couldn't grasp Chen Yuan, with his current thoughts, no one could say what would happen in the future.

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty. A martial artist's oath must never be violated, otherwise it will be difficult to make progress in the future. It is not that this humble subject does not want to, but I really cannot agree."

Chen Yuan exhaled and continued.

"What if I insist on bestowing this marriage?"

Jingtai's eyes were full of powerful pressure.

It was frightening and made people feel panicked.

Having reached this point, it was difficult to stop.

"Please retract your decree, Your Majesty."

Chen Yuan did not give any other answer, but responded in a deep voice.

In the silent Golden Luan Hall, only these two voices echoed.

Everything that needed to be said had been said, there was no need to say more.

Since it could not be resolved peacefully, then he could only directly overturn the table!

He knew that Jingtai was determined to settle this matter today and would not give him a chance to react. As long as he agreed, he would be controlled today, quickly married, and forced to make an oath.

But he was also determined not to agree.

Today, I have lofty ambitions, a king-slaying and emperor-killing true man!

Chen Yuan had already made the determination and prepared to overturn the table. If soft measures didn't work, then he would use hard ones.

Chen Yuan communicated with the demon monk Moro in the Imperial Slaughtering Saber, and a trace of power poured into Chen Yuan's body. It seemed that there was no change, but in fact, it was brewing great terror.

Killing the Emperor was not that simple. He had to obtain power far beyond what he had before in the shortest amount of time. Only in this way could he have a chance to kill with one blow.

After Chen Yuan refused, the atmosphere in the Golden Luan Hall fell silent for the third time.

This time, no one dared to scold Chen Yuan again. Even if someone wanted to get a good impression in front of the Emperor, they could only suppress this thought when they saw that everyone around them was being cautious.

The sound of heartbeats thumped, and some people could no longer suppress the restlessness in their hearts.

Jingtai stared at Chen Yuan for a moment. Seeing that he was still unmoved, a flash of killing intent flashed in his eyes. He stood up from the dragon throne and walked down the high platform step by step.

With each step he took, the momentum on his body would rise.

The Great Jin's national fortune, which was invisible to the naked eye, surged and gathered on Jingtai's body. At this moment, he seemed to hold up the sky alone, blocking everyone's gaze.

When he was three feet away from Chen Yuan, Jingtai stood with his hands behind his back. The dragon robe on his body was like it had come to life, coiling around his body and setting off his supreme dignity.

"Presumptuous!"

Jingtai slowly uttered these two words.

As soon as these words came out, everyone was silent. Even the high-ranking officials around Chen Yuan did not dare to look directly at the Emperor's gaze, feeling inexplicably fearful.

Zhang Yantong immediately transmitted his voice, wanting Chen Yuan to back down, and that he must not offend the Emperor. This was punishable by death!

Perhaps the Emperor would give an order and the experts in the Golden Luan Hall would suppress him. Even he would not dare to disobey the Emperor's golden words and could only attack him.

Grand Commander Xiao Jing was calm, but he sighed in his heart.

Miscalculated...

Even if he made a lot of noise, he still couldn't change Jingtai's mind. On the contrary, Chen Yuan dared to face the Emperor without backing down.

He must know the consequences.

So, what was his reliance?

How dare he be so bold?

Or was this just a pretense?

Sima Ke's eyes were extremely anxious, but in this situation, he really didn't dare to speak, otherwise, his furious father would probably punish him together!

Confronting the Emperor head-on!

As expected of Father's assistant, he has courage!

No wonder he dares to...

The powerful pressure on Jingtai's body all fell on Chen Yuan, but he seemed unaware, not taking it seriously. Moro's power had mostly merged with him.

At such a short distance, he would definitely be able to severely injure or even kill Jingtai!

Unless he had some immortal treasures...

Regicide!

This thought flashed through Chen Yuan's mind constantly, and he was even a little excited, almost unable to suppress his heart, wanting to kill this guy who claimed to be high above.

He didn't like anyone being higher than him.

If there was, then... he would pull him down from the throne!

.......

Adding the first update, I will finish today!